Former Atlanta Braves minor leaguer and Frontier League standout, Ray Hernandez, took a unique step to stay in the sports world after his time in baseball came to an end.
Frontier League HR leader in 2021 with the New York Boulders
After posting a career .320 average and setting records for batting average and homeruns at Alabama State, Hernandez was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 29th round of the 2018 MLB June Amateur Draft. He spent just two years playing rookie ball in the Braves system before he was a casualty of the minor league pandemic releases.
Not wanting to leave baseball just yet, Hernandez spent three seasons in the Frontier League (Washington and New York) even leading the league in homeruns (23) in 2021 while playing for the New York Boulders.
But, as luck would have it, a connection he made in baseball presented him with a professional sports opportunity that he just couldn’t pass up – becoming a fueler for a NASCAR pit crew.
Now, Hernandez spends his weekends pitting race cars for three teams in the three top series in NASCAR.
Indy Ball Island recently conducted a Q&A with Ray Hernandez to dive deeper into his unique path from professional baseball to professional auto racing.
After your two seasons in the Braves organization, how did you end up in indy ball?
I had an agent at the time, and he had connection with Frontier League teams. He sent my name around, and the Wild Things were the first team to offer me a contract after I was released by Atlanta. I was eager to sign and continue my career.
What was your experience like playing indy ball? Any highlights that stand out? Favorite places, games or memories?
I enjoyed playing in Washington even though it wasn’t a full season. I was happy to be with a good host family and to be around guys that were like me who were trying to re-sign to affiliated ball.
Hernandez with teammate Hector Roa before a game in Washington
My favorite team to play for was New York. I had a lot of success there, and I really enjoyed the set up in Pomona. My favorite team to play against was actually Washington because of how small the field was. Plus it was turf, which I felt helped a lot as an infielder. I loved the trips to Canada. The fans up there were so passionate, and those games just felt bigger to me. I also liked Gateway because the field was tiny. For a power hitter, it was a dream.
I have a lot of memories from Indy Ball. Some of my best seasons were in Indy Ball, and I felt like I was able to be a free player and play my game as opposed to feeling like I had to copy someone else like in affiliated ball. My first season with New York in 2021, I led the league in homeruns and that’s still one of my best accomplishments that I had in my career. I miss baseball every single day.
How did you end up working in NASCAR?
When I was released by Atlanta, it was during COVID. I was released with 35 other players as well as front office personal. One of those front office guys started a recruiting agency because of all the contacts he made in baseball. He also had a connection with Joe Gibbs Racing, and he was the one who got me in contact with Joe Gibbs. I’m thankful for it every day.
Did you know much about what went into a team and pit crew beforehand?
So I knew about NASCAR because I’m from Orlando which is very close to Daytona. I watched a few Daytona 500s growing up, and I played a lot of the NASCAR video games when I was younger, so I knew about the teams and how it worked, I just didn’t know I could make a career out of pitting race cars.
What does your week and race weekends look like this season?
We have Mondays off because that’s the day after the races. Tuesday-Thursday, we have a film review of the race from the week before and a preview of what to expect for the following race. We also have practice pit stops and a lift at the facility with our strength coach evey day.
Friday we fly out and work the Craftsman truck race.
Saturday is the “Xfinity” race and Sunday is the “Cup” race.
You can think about those three races like: Truck – AA, Xfinity- AAA and Sunday as the major leagues if you want to relate it to baseball. The drivers for those three races are all at different levels in their careers, but we are just the pro crew, so we pit all three races. Then we fly back late after Sunday’s race to go back home and do that every week from February through November. It is a very long season.
Clutch pit stop in the Xfinity series
What aspects have you been able to bring from baseball into your work now?
I think the number one thing that I bring from baseball to racing is the “turn the page” aspect of baseball. You play so many games in a season and have so many at-bats that you don’t have time to harp on a bad game or at-bat too long. Really, you can’t even enjoy the good games or at-bats because you have another one coming soon after. Racing is very similar. If we have a race where we have bad stops, we don’t have a lot of time to try and adjust before the driver is right back in the stall needing us to lock in and deliver even if we have been bad all race.
What advice would you give an athlete who is looking to make the jump into racing?
Honestly, I was very lucky to get this opportunity. I knew the right guy at the right time, and I was blessed to have an opening right when I joined. Now I’m moving up the ranks.
The best advice I could give is to move to Charlotte, NC and try to get with a team, any team, and just work and show them that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to be a member of the squad. Show that you can be an asset. A lot of these things happen by just being at the right place at the right time, and you have to try and set yourself up for a chance somehow.
Anything else you want to add for our readers?
You know, I grew up in East Orlando, and there aren’t a lot of players who made it to the MLB from my area. My high school and college weren’t the best as far as baseball goes, so a part of me is proud of how far I made it in baseball. I wasn’t supposed to get drafted or even play D1 baseball. I just made every situation work in my favor. I struggled when I was with the Braves. They moved me around into positions that I had never played before, and I felt like they were trying to change how I played. I felt Iike it got me there, so why change me?
But I don’t regret anything in my career. I was a great power hitter and had a very strong arm. I would like to think that I was a good teammate, maybe not 100% of the time, but at least when it mattered most. I love baseball. I played it since I was 4 years old, and that’s the only sport I ever played. My goal for as long as I could remember was to make it to the MLB. I fell short of that, but the lessons that I’ve learned are ones that will pass down to my children when I have them. I want to try and show them how to be a better player than I was.
NASCAR isn’t baseball, and I don’t know if I will ever be content with how my career ended, but at least I’m lucky enough to have something I can give 100% in. It’s honestly the closest thing to baseball that I could be doing, and I’m grateful that I have this new career with Joe Gibbs Racing.
Living the dream with Joe Gibbs Racing on pit road
Today, the United Shore Professional Baseball League announced the hiring of Ray Ortega to lead their new initiative described as “Real Baseball, Real Fun.”
Ortega is a product of indy ball himself as both a player and coach and had coached in the minor leagues before becoming an assistant coach for the Savannah Bananas last year.
I have known Ortega for over a decade beginning with his rookie year in the Frontier League as part of the road warrior Frontier League Greys. His infectious attitude and love for the game drew me in instantly.
When he recently contacted me about his ideas for “Real Baseball, Real Fun,” I was immediately sold.
I have always loved independent baseball because of the players and people involved. It is why I started this blog in the first place; to connect players and fans and tell stories that bring out the human side of the sport. I love when players can just be themselves and show that side to the fans.
In my opinion, the core of the game of baseball doesn’t need to change, but the interactions and fan support needs an upgrade in order to stay relevant.
The Savannah Bananas sell out ballpark after ballpark because of the fun interactions and the larger than life characters that they players have turned into. But far too many baseball purists think that their attempts to “liven up” the game itself have ruined the game.
The United Shore Pro Baseball League lead by Ray Ortega is aiming to bridge that gap.
Indy Ball Island is looking forward to working with Ray and the USPBL to showcase how this initiative plays out throughout the season and the years to come.
The USPBL powered by UWM Welcomes Ray Ortega to Lead “Real Baseball, Real Fun” Initiative
March 12th, 2025
ROCHESTER, Mich. – March 12, 2025 – The United Shore Professional Baseball League (USPBL powered by UWM) is thrilled to announce the addition of Ray Ortega as USPBL Assistant Director of Baseball Operations & Hitting Coach. With the new motto of “Real Baseball, Real Fun.”, Ortega is set to bring fresh energy and expertise to the league.
Ortega, 35, from Miami, FL, has an extensive background in baseball, both as a player and a coach. Ortega previously spent three years with the USPBL, as a catcher for the Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers in 2016 and 2017, and as the Beavers’ Assistant Manager and league Catching Coordinator in 2018. In 2019, Ortega left the USPBL to become the Player Development Coach for the San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats, and that team won the 2019 AAA National Championship. After leaving the River Cats, Ortega joined the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League, where he served as the Hitting Coach and Bench Coach for two summers. Over the years, Ortega has coached more than 200 players who have played Major League Baseball.
In 2024, Ortega immersed himself into the baseball entertainment experience of the Savannah Bananas, serving as an Assistant Manager of the Savannah Bananas during their tour across the country. As Ortega returns to the USPBL this season, he will be helping the league to increase player engagement with the fans, ramping up the fun and entertainment on the field while still staying true to the traditional rules of baseball. “My goal is to reimagine the culture surrounding the game. I want to change the fan experience and overall presentation of the game, but not the game of baseball,” said Ortega. “Baseball is fun. I want to remind people of that. The USPBL is – Real Baseball, Real Fun.”
Ortega will have a key role in player development and community outreach, while also helping to implement the increased engagement of our players with the fans, and the additional entertainment on the field during USPBL games in a way that will not impact the outcome of the games or the opportunity for USPBL players to be signed to contracts by Major League organizations. His appointment marks an important step in USPBL’s continued commitment to excellence both on and off the field.
The evolution of the USPBL, now entering its 10th season of baseball, will bring a brand of baseball with unmatched energy, personality, and creativity. More on-field interactions, more player-led promotions, and deeper fan connections – from the dugout to the stands, the players will be the heartbeat of the experience at Jimmy John’s Field. This isn’t just baseball. This is Real Baseball. Real Fun.
In addition to bringing Ray Ortega back to the USPBL in 2025, the USPBL will be welcoming back all of its senior Baseball Operations and coaching staff from the 2024 season. Leading the USPBL Baseball Operations staff once again is Shane McCatty, Director of Baseball Operations, whose operational excellence is invaluable as we strive for continued success. Additionally, we are thrilled to have Paul Noce, Field Coordinator, returning to oversee on-field instruction and preparation. Justin Karn is returning this season as USPBL Pitching Coordinator, where his expertise in pitching development has been a vital asset in preparing our players for success on the mound. His focus on mechanics, strategy, and player growth will continue to play a crucial role in strengthening our pitching staff.
The USPBL also is fortunate to have an outstanding group of returning team managers who bring a wealth of experience and leadership to their respective teams. Jim Essian will be managing the Utica Unicorns for the 9th straight season. John Dombrowski will once again manage the 2024 USPBL Champion Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers. Taylor Grzelakowski continues at the helm for the Westside Woolly Mammoths, and Ryan Kottke will manage the Eastside Diamond Hoppers. Their ability to develop players and foster a competitive, fan-first culture is a key component to our league’s success.
The entire USPBL Baseball Operations Department is fully engaged in and embracing the “Real Baseball, Real Fun” initiative. This initiative is reimagining the culture around the game while preserving its essence and the rules of the actual game of baseball. The USPBL is creating an electrifying fan experience that makes baseball fun again.
We believe the “Real Baseball, Real Fun” initiative will attract both passionate fans and top-tier baseball talent, because this isn’t just about making the games more fun for the fans—it’s about the players, too. We’re empowering our athletes to embrace their personalities, build their brands, and engage with fans like never before. From on-field celebrations and team dances to signature handshakes and social media storytelling, we’re giving players the tools to turn their careers into platforms that extend beyond the game.
“Baseball should be fun—for the players and the fans. We’re bringing the passion, the energy, and the showmanship that makes this game great,” said USPBL Owner, Commissioner and CEO, Andy Appleby. “We are excited to welcome Ray Ortega to our team. His expertise, leadership, and passion for the game will be invaluable as we continue to grow and enhance the experience for our players, fans, and community.”
Writing and sharing stories about Independent Baseball.
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